FARNHAM ROYAL PARISH COUNCIL
Mrs. K. H. Holder
Clerk to the Council
clerk@farnhamroyal-pc.gov.uk
01753 648497
Sherriff House
The Broadway
Farnham Common
SL2 3QH
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF FARNHAM ROYAL PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 27th
JUNE 2011 AT 8.00 P.M. IN FARNHAM ROYAL VILLAGE HALL
Present
Mr. Peter Cathcart (Chairman)
Mr. Trevor Clapp
Mr. Bill Youel
(Vice Chairman)
Mr. Clive Robinson
Mr. Alan French
Mr. Bob Milne
Mrs. K .H. Holder (Clerk)
Six members of the public including District Councillors Mr. Dhillon, Mrs. Royston and Mr. Anthony.
The Chairman declared the meeting open at 8.00pm. The meeting was adjourned for OPEN FORUM.
The Chairman reconvened the meeting.
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Apologies for absence
Mr. John Hodges and Mr. Karl Tipping
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To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 23rd May 2011
The minutes were confirmed as a true and accurate record and the minutes were then signed by the
Chairman.
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Matters Arising (not covered elsewhere on the agenda)
The Chairman commented that the opening event for the new playground had been fantastic and thanked
everyone who helped with it especially the Clerk and her family.
4
To consider the co-option of Mrs Heidi Hodgkins as a councillor
Mrs. Hodgkins said that she had lived in Farnham Common for the last five years with her husband, Neil.
She was the editor of the Webzine, on the committee for the magazine and worked with another local
charity. Her background was working with the press. She said she was very community minded and liked
to get things done. It was unanimously agreed that Mrs Hodgkins be co-opted as a new parish
councillor for Farnham Royal Upp End ward.
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To consider the proposals for a new double lane practice area by FC Cricket Club
The Chairman reported that he and Mr. Hodges had met with the Sports Club and, although at this stage
only a generic plan was available, it seemed to be a sensible proposal provided the old nets were
removed and the grounds completely reinstated. Mr. Youel expressed concern that, given the area where
cars were in the habit of parking would be gone, there might be an even greater problem with parking
along One Pin Lane. The Chairman said the Club had assured him they had spoken with all affected
neighbours and there had been no objections. He added that he had made it clear that the Club did not
own the land where the play area was. Mr. Clapp suggested a ‘master plan’ should be drawn up clarifying
land ownership. The Clerk was asked to respond to the Club expressing our general approval of the plans
so far.
6
Library Update
Mr. Youel advised that the first ‘Friends’ meeting had been held on 13th June and nine trustees had been
appointed. They were going ahead to form a charity. A business plan had been put to BCC and the formal
handover pencilled in for mid October. It had been agreed to start fundraising with a target sum of
£50,000 as there was no guarantee of continued income from the current tenants at the end of the year
and BCC will only guarantee its grants for the next three years.
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To consider the provision of a teenage shelter
7.1
Mr. Milne advised that, during the finalising of the play area, the idea had come forward to
consider the provision of some sort of teenage shelter and examples of Wicksteed’s provision – as had
been put in at Stoke Poges – were circulated.
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7.2
Mr. Youel said that four years ago the police had recommended the provision of a teenage
shelter to cut down on vandalism from youths around the village. Plans had been drawn up for Temple
Dell but when mentioned in the Magazine had encountered strong opposition from the Ingleglen residents
association. The Clerk was asked to circulate these earlier plans.
7.3
Following discussion it was the opinion of those present that such a shelter could go in either
Temple Dell or the Farnham Park Sports Fields but away from the Community Orchard and play area
respectively to reduce any temptation to vandalise these areas and to prevent broken glass being a
nuisance where small children might be playing. Mr. French reported they had had some vandalism in the
community orchard and he would prefer to see something in the corner of Templewood Lane/A355.
7.4
Mr. Youel added that the police had in the past advised on design and the ones in Stoke Poges
had previously been regarded as a bad design.
7.5
Mr. Clapp suggested that a structure that benefitted the whole of the community might be better for example a bandstand or a small stage for drama productions.
7.6
The Clerk was asked to investigate ideas and costs and that the matter be put on the agenda for
the September meeting.
8
To consider the proposal for a picnic in the Community Orchard
Mr. French reported that the Community Orchard team consisted of five members. Its objectives were to
look after the orchard and encourage its use especially whilst the trees were still small. They had come
up with the idea of a community picnic and Dominic Grieve had agreed to come on 17 th September. They
would like to lay on entertainment such as rural crafts and Morris men. They would need to raise a few
hundred pounds to put on such an event. The Chairman said that historically it sounded like the sort of
event the council would support. It was unanimously agreed that the parish council should make
available monies up to £250 to support this event.
9
To consider creating a fruitful hedge for Temple Dell
Mr. French advised that the Tree Council were offering 400 metres of hedge fruit trees – although St
Mary’s had claimed some already- and the community orchard would be keen to have some for along the
inside of the fence in Temple Dell near the orchard. It was agreed that the Parish Council were in favour
of creating a fruitful hedge at this location and the Clerk was asked to liaise with Dr. Helen Reade to
complete the necessary form.
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10.1
10.2
Planning
Planning comments were noted with no further comments.
Planning decisions were noted.
11
Finance
Payments as per the cashbook circulated prior to the meeting and checked by Mr. Youel were approved
for payment.
12
Any other business
12.1
Mr. Youel said he had been phoned this afternoon by the Observer asking about the proposed
car park charges for Burnham Beeches. From August, charges of £2 per day will apply on weekends and
bank holidays. The charges were to try and meet the 12.5% cut in their budget. It was the opinion of the
parish council that this was unlikely to affect our residents unduly and was a necessary evil to which it
had no objections.
12.2
Mr. Youel advised that the local police inspector had asked to meet with us to discuss how to
improve relations between the parish council and the police. He added that in the past they used to attend
meetings but now they will only come if they are on duty. They have been slow to prepare reports or send
newsletters although this is improving. The Chairman said he would like them to attend meetings
regularly to ensure accountability and to allow a dialogue with them if necessary. Mr. Clapp said he would
prefer to see a higher level of personnel attend meetings although it could be on a less frequent basis. Mr
Milne said he would like to know more about how staff are deployed and their pattern of work. Mr Youel
was concerned that the staff changed too frequently and didn’t have time to put down roots. Mrs. Royston
was disappointed that only two police representatives came to the opening event and only stayed ten
minutes. She felt we had all been fighting all year for greater police visibility. It was the opinion of the
council that Mr. Youel request that the police attend our meetings at least on a quarterly basis.
12.3
The Chairman said that historically we had often helped with issues at the Beeches. There was
currently a problem with the main entrance which was too wide and a danger to young children and
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mothers with pushchairs or prams. Although it was early stages the Chairman wished to advise that he
has indicated that this is an issue on which the council might be able to help.
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Next Meeting
The meeting closed at 8.55pm
The next meeting will be on Monday 25th July 2011at 8pm in Farnham Common Village Hall.
NOTES from the public open forum of the meeting
Mr Redding of Mayflower Way was concerned about a planning application put in by his neighbour at 61
Mayflower Way for an extension which goes to the boundary of his property. The main problem is that
there would only be a 50cm gap between the extension and a heavy raft which his own extension was
built on which he believed would lead to Mr Redding’s own earlier extension becoming structurally
unsafe. The other problem was that his light would be seriously compromised by the second storey to the
neighbour’s proposed extension. The Chairman explained our role was advisory and that Mr Redding
should speak and write directly to SBDC planning department and request a site visit to investigate the
civil engineering issues.
Mr. Anthony reported that he had been in correspondence with BCC about the grass verges on Farnham
Road on the border with Slough and hoped their condition would be improved shortly.
This concludes the public session.
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